Consort Xi suddenly went mad, which seemed to have aroused the other concubines in the palace.
December 16
Consort Que sat in the first seat below in Yikun Palace. She looked up at Xu Lejin and said respectfully, "Sister Consort Yu, ever since Consort Xi went mad and His Majesty ordered her to be moved to Changchun Garden Palace, the palace has been in turmoil."
After a pause, Consort Que's sharp gaze swept over the group of low-ranking noble ladies, concubines, and attendants in the corner, and she let out a cold snort.
"Sister Consort Yu, the noble ladies, concubines, and other high-ranking officials in the various palaces are vying for the emperor's favor like madmen, causing chaos in the palace every day. My sister and Consort Hui are overwhelmed with their attention."
Xu Lejin's expression froze.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Such a thing is true?"
Consort Que nodded.
After a quick consideration, Consort Hui glanced menacingly at the noble ladies, concubines, and other ladies-in-waiting in the corner, who were bowing their heads slightly, and spoke in a cold voice.
“After being abandoned by her family, Consort Xi lost her mind. The concubines in the palace were all in a state of mutual dependence, and they were always worried about becoming the next Consort Xi. So they did their best to win the emperor's favor. If they were lucky enough to become pregnant and give birth to a child, they would have someone to rely on for the rest of their lives.”
"Um."
Xu Lejin responded and looked at the group of lower-ranking concubines, noticing that each of them had an expectant look on their faces.
After a short while, Xu Lejin sternly reprimanded the lower-ranking concubines in the palace, telling them that while they could compete for the emperor's favor, they must not disrupt the order of the harem or break its rules.
The nobles, attendants, and concubines lowered their eyes and responded.
As the year draws to a close, the palace is filled with the festive atmosphere.
This day
Liu Ying trotted in from outside the palace and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, great joy! Your Majesty, great joy! News has come from Consort He's palace that Consort Wen is pregnant and is already a month and a half along."
"I understand."
Xu Lejin responded casually, then asked in a deep voice, "Has Consort He sent someone to report to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager about Consort Wen's pregnancy?"
"Consort Xi gave birth prematurely, and the little princess died shortly after birth. Among the pregnant concubines in the palace, only Consort Rui is pregnant. It has been a long time since the sound of a newborn baby crying has been heard in the palace."
"Now that Consort Wen is pregnant, it is a joyous occasion for the palace."
Liu Ying respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, Consort He has already sent someone to inform the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."
"Um."
Xu Lejin responded and then instructed Ruhua and Nongying to prepare a generous gift to be sent to Consort Wen in Changchun Palace to congratulate her on her pregnancy with the emperor's child.
New Year's Eve
Emperor Kangxi rewarded the concubines in the harem who had given birth to imperial heirs, bestowing upon them gold, silver, jewels, silks, and satins. Among them, Consort Rui and Consort Wen, who were pregnant, were promoted to Noble Lady and Consort respectively.
Consort Que turned her head and smiled at Xu Lejin, speaking softly, "Consort Yu, Consort Rui and Consort Wen are truly blessed to have conceived and, thanks to the festive atmosphere of the year-end, have been promoted in rank."
"、、"
Xu Lejin looked puzzled.
After a moment, Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Rui and Consort Wen, who were sitting quietly in the corner, and said softly, "In the palace, all concubines, regardless of their birth, are blessed to be able to conceive."
"Consort Que is still young, and she will soon become pregnant and give birth to a prince or princess for the Emperor."
Consort Que's face stiffened upon hearing this.
She lowered her head awkwardly, hesitated for a moment, then raised her head and said with a smile, "Thank you, Consort Yu. I am also hoping to conceive soon and give birth to a son or daughter."
Xu Lejin nodded and continued to enjoy the songs and dances at the banquet.
Consort Hui, sitting to the left of Consort Que, clearly heard the conversation between Xu Lejin and Consort Que. She rolled her eyes and turned to the younger Consort He with a smile, saying, "Consort He, you are young. When you grow up, you must not rush to serve the Emperor. Otherwise, you will harm your body at such a young age and you will not be able to have children in the future."
"Sister Huifei, I'm still young."
Young He Fei blushed instantly, lowered her head, and spoke in a voice barely audible, wishing she could disappear into the ground.
Consort Hui covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
"A few years have passed in the blink of an eye. Sister Hefei will grow up one day."
After speaking, Consort Hui turned her head and glanced contemptuously at Consort Que, holding her head high like a triumphant rooster.
Xu Lejin pursed her lips, glancing at Consort Que out of the corner of her eye.
Consort Que looked embarrassed and lowered her head angrily.
A moment later, a sharp glint flashed in Consort Que's eyes. She raised her head to look at Consort Hui and said with a mocking smile, "What Consort Hui said is very true. It's not just us women, but men are the same."
"Not all men in the palace are as vigorous and extraordinary as our Emperor. The Second Prince, born to Consort Hui, is so young yet so infatuated with women; be careful, or he'll be drained of his health by them in the future."
With a gentle smile, Consort Que's expression turned mocking.
"Consort Hui is now looking forward to the Second Prince growing up, to him marrying a consort, and to holding a grandson. But the Second Prince is still young and infatuated with women. Consort Hui's dream of having a grandson is probably just a pipe dream and will come to nothing!"
The Second Prince was Consort Hui's Achilles' heel, and now Consort Que was bringing it up for discussion without any politeness. Consort Hui was immediately both ashamed and angry. Ignoring the difference in status and the distinction between superior and inferior, she glared fiercely at Consort Que.
Consort Que was about to speak again, but Xu Lejin stopped her.
Xu Lejin, with a stern face, glanced at Consort Que and Consort Hui, and said in a deep voice, "Today is New Year's Eve, a day of celebration for the whole palace. Consort Que and Consort Hui, please be careful with your words."
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